SVU’s Mariska Hargitay Reveals the Real Reason Benson and Stabler Didn’t Kiss in Season 24
If you were frustrated when former Law & Order: SVU partners Benson and Stabler didn’t smooch in a pivotal Season 24 episode, get in line behind the procedural’s star.
“Chris [Meloni] and I thought it should go one way, and the powers that be didn’t, so it got changed at the last minute, that near kiss,” SVU‘s Mariska Hargitay tells Variety in a new interview.
She refers to the SVU/Law & Order: Organized Crime crossover episode (SVU‘s 12th of Season 24) that ends with Olivia and Elliot in her kitchen, standing very close, as he tells her that he cares about her. As they draw even closer, and it looks like they’re about to kiss, she pulls back. “Elliot, Elliot, I want to,” she whispers. “I want to, but I can’t.” When he presses her, she admits that she’s worried that a romance between them might not succeed. And when he posits that it might, she seems very troubled as she repeats, “I’m not ready for this.” (Read a detailed recap of the episode.)
TVLine has reached out to NBC and Wolf’s representatives for comment.
The question of whether or not Stabler and Benson should become romantically involved is a polarizing one within the SVU/OC fandom. The notion was pretty much a hypothetical during Meloni’s 12 seasons on SVU, given that his character was married to Isabel Gillies’ Kathy. But Kathy was killed during the SVU episode that led into OC‘s first season; Benson and Stabler have shared several close moments (like the post-shooting scene in this episode) in the seasons since, and several characters — including Olivia’s therapist and Det. Rollins — have urged the captain to be open to the possibility of love with her former partner. (We even deemed their sweet gift exchange the best inadvertent holiday movie of 2023.)
Hargitay adds: “We want to hold the tension and do what’s right and truthful for both characters.”
In the same interview, the Emmy winner says that she’s trying to get former SVU series regular Giddish — who appears as a guest star in this week’s episode — back full-time for Season 26. (Read more about her efforts here.)
Now it’s your turn to tell us why Benson and Stabler should or shouldn’t explore a romance. Hit the comments!
We really need Dick Wolf to respect the actors, fans and the history of these two characters and just let them be together. It’s been 25 years of this and we’re loyal, but tired.
The baiting hurt us at this point, we’re not getting younger, I was a kid, now I’m almost 40, for God’s sake!
Just make them happy, make us happy and the money and ratings will come!
fans have waited 25 years. just give them what they want already!
This is exhausting. It’s like by trying to avoid the “moonlighting curse” they’ve created a new curse where everyone gets annoyed and loses interest.
And I want them to get together! But I’ve never seen a ship’s arc butchered so badly.
Completely agree with this. End of last season, Stabler actually tells her that he’s going under cover and gives her the necklace. I get it that the strike didn’t help matters but Benson was so peeved that he didn’t even give her a heads up that he was disappearing and this time he did, it should have been the start of something more adult and grown up happening this season between the two of them. Other than a phone call on OC where he let her know that he was back that was it. I was so looking forward to them getting together when they announced that he was getting his own show. I get that the on-set issues that they have been having haven’t help set the tone for what the show is trying to be but when they killed off Kathy, it should have been a no-brainer to decide how to integrate that arc into both shows so that it worked. It has taken a lot of the fun and enjoyment out of it with this silliness.
Would love for Benson and Stabler to have a romance. Viewers have been waiting many yrs for this. However, nothing occurred in s25 of SVU or s4 of OC between the two (no crossovers or even mentions) and viewers are now extremely discouraged that anything will ever occur. Which is very strange when Stabler returned 3 years ago and his wife, Kathy, was immediately killed, thus setting up the opportunity for a romance. It is also felt by many viewers that Ms. Hargitay does not now want a Benson and Stabler pairing.
I don’t get the “25 years wait” drama, Stabler was married when we first met him and when he left too. There was no hope for their romance until 4 years ago with Chris returning. Now, the tone of the two shows& showrunners are different and the future of them uncertain. I hope they give this partnership and potential romance a closure and move on. Let them be friends and coworkers in crossovers.
All I’m saying is that now she needs to wait until he shaves off the goatee. Once that’s accomplished, green light ‘em! 😆
I think Wolf made the right decision. With how organised crime stories are told in arcs. This relationship wouldn’t fit and if they go with it, it will require too much adjustment because she is a captain and on a different show not a civilian
I think most Fans have been waiting for this for so long that they should just let them be together and be happy. I also think that Stabler needs to find out about the ordeals with Peter Lewis. I would like to see him realize this happened right after he left her and realize just what his leaving out her through.
It’s William Lewis. You’re welcome.
Just let them get together. What would it hurt. Olivia has never caught a break on romance and Kathy is dead so let them have some romance
You would think that Hargitay would have more input on the Stabler thing and giddish leaving. I know she can’t pull all the shots, but it’s like dick wolf doesn’t appreciate her opinion…nor the opinion of the viewers. Looks at what happened woth 911 when they gave the viewers something they wanted for a while…viewership went up. And tiktok/instagram and abuzz because of it. It’s almost like if.you give the viewer what they want…then they’re happy all will continue to view or come back to a show that maybe they gave up on because it’s the same “wash, rinse, repeat” week after week and year after year. And dare I say…bring in new viewers. Dick wolf is a bum!
Giddish left to spend more time with her kids.
Get Kelli back Pronto!
I’m gonna be 62 in November I don’t wanna be 70 when they kiss or get together. I don’t know how many years we still have with SUV but please to the power of the bee. Let them have a happy ending.
Keep Benson and Stabler as good friends! A romance between these two is unnecessary. The renewed friendship between these characters is great and needed by both parties.
Omg! Thank you. Finally someone other than myself can see that there is no romantic chemistry between Benson and Stabler. Olivia had more chemistry with detective Amora and ADA Barber. I glad that there was no kiss during the cross over episode because stabler just wanted a booty call. Subsequently, hopefully the higher up will bring Amanda back.
I agree with you! I always thought Benson and Barba had pretty great chemistry. As for Stabler, you may remember his temporary partner for several episodes, Dani. Of course, he was married but still, there was quite the chemistry brewing between them.
I loved him with her –
I dont want a romance between these 2…it would make me feel like she’s just been waiting for him all these years
Well it looks like Dick Wolf agrees with you and you’ll get your way. I just wish they hadn’t strung along a good number of fans for so long.
Come on, I’m really tired of writers and directors totally and deliberately ignoring what should obviously happen between these two amazing beautiful characters, it’s borderline sadistic!
25 years is long enough. They could finally be together and still have amazing storyline’s, or is that just too much work and creativity.
Yes absolutely they should be together it’s kind of sick to not let it happen. The fans made this show what it is. Give us what we want and deserve.
Well, I guess Benson and Stabler are off the books if OC moves to another network. I doubt there will be any cross-overs when that happens.
I think it will be far more likely that there will be crossovers in an effort to get more people to sign up for Peacock.
Not a fan of those two as a couple at all!!! Keep them as friends! Better yet, move on from them.
Unlike almost everyone, I think it’s been way to long for them to get together now. Keep them as friends
I think they should try for romance . After all they know each other quite well.
Have been watching all of the “Law & Order’s, SVU’s, and Organized Crime’s since their inception. Just can’t leave this Olivia/Elliott “get-together” hanging much longer. We have waited so very long! A cross-over needs to happen very soon! Whichever way it goes…Will always be the BEST of the best on TV!
Marissa and Stabler
Should be a couple.
No, show America men and women can have the most amazing besties, and not feel the need to be bed ing down.. It does happen and that’s what I’d like to see happen..
I thought Giddish was the best actress on the show. Her loss made the next cast fall into a dark hole. There is no chemistry without her.
I hope Stabler and Benson do get together.
Yes Benson and Stabler should have a romantic relationship